Clock is ticking to keep a Roman coin hoard in the county

THE clock is ticking to raise the raise the £40,000 needed to keep a Roman coin hoard of national significance in the county.

A campaign to raise the cash, started earlier this year, has so far raised just a quarter of its target.

Campaigners only have until the end of this month before the hoard, discovered by Redditch resident Jethro Carpenter, could be broken up and sold.

The aim is for it to become part of Worcestershire county museum collection where it can be conserved and then exhibited at venues across the county.

However, despite raising almost £10,000 they face losing the hoard, which is currently in the British Museum.

The haul of treasure was the largest ever discovered in the county with just under 4,000 coins spanning 16 Roman emperors found by Mr Carpenter.

At the time the metal detectorist, aged 43, said: "This find is of major significance not only for Worcestershire but also nationally and I am so proud to have been involved with this important discovery."

Research undertaken by Worcestershire Archaeology and Archives Service with the British Museum showed the hoard was buried nearly a century after it was gathered – the only known such British example - meaning it is of national significance.

Councillor John Campion, chairman of the joint museums committee, said that residents of the county had been fantastic at coming forward with their donations.

“It is vitally important the hoard stays in Worcestershire,” he said.

“Museums Worcestershire will plan further fund-raising in the future to conserve and display the coins.”

Donations can be made online at charitychoice.co.uk/worcestershire-hoard/ or by visiting the Museums Worcestershire website museumsworcestershire.org.uk.

People can also give by texting COIN11 and the amount of money to 70070 or by popping into the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, the Commandery in Worcester or the County Museum at Hartlebury.